HANDOUT
Topic # 3061
NOTES: DEVELOPING A SET OF REASONS
Created by: Tracey Hoffman
Source: Kansas Youth Horse Judging Manual
1.
Opening Statement
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Contain class title
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Contain class placings
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“Sir, I place this class of aged Quarter Horse geldings, 4-3-1-2”
2.
Three Comparisons
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1 vs 2, 2 vs 3, and 3 vs 4
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Three separate paragraphs
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Each comparison state the pairs placing and give facts as to why the animals
placed the way they did
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USE COMPARATIVE PHRASES, not descriptive
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Facts should be brought out in a comparison on the order of their importance in
deciding the placings
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NOT: “3 was heavier muscled than 2”
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DO: “3 was a heavier muscled mare than 2 having greater width from stifle to
stifle, a longer – deeper tying forearm and gaskin…”
3.
Transitions within a pair
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Furthermore
Additionally
In addition
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
Moreover
Also
Besides
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“Furthermore, the overo mare displayed a higher degree of femininity than did
the solid sorrel having more refinement about her head and neck…”
4.
Grants
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Used before proceeding to the next pair
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Examples:
5.
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Recognize
Understand
Realize
Admittedly
Acknowledge
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“Admittedly, 2 was a more structurally correct mare, standing straighter,
especially when viewed from behind.”
Transitions between pairs

State you are moving to the next pair
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“ In moving to the middle pair…”
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“Moving on to my next pair…”
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Then proceed as before
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6.
In moving to my next pair, I did place 2 over the bay tobiano mare as she did
follow most in type to the first place mare in having more refinement about
her head, more definition and bulge through her stifle when viewed from
behind, and was v’ed up deeper in her pectoral region when viewed from the
front. In addition, 2 stood straighter all the way around and traveled cleaner at
both the walk and jog. I do realize that 1 was stronger over her topline than
was 2.”
Final Pair

Describe why 3rd place animal was placed over the 4th place animal

Briefly explain why the 4th place horse was at the bottom

Conclude with a closing statement

“Beginning with the individual who dominated the class in terms of muscling,
balance and femininity, I place this class of aged Paint mares 3-2-1-4.”
Sample set
“ 3, the overo, was a heavier muscled mare than 2 having greater stifle to stifle, a longer –
deeper tying forearm and gaskin. Furthermore, the overo mare displayed a higher degree
of femininity than did the sorrel mare having more refinement about her head and neck.
In addition, 3 was a better balanced mare having lengths of head, neck, topline, and hip
which were nearly equal. Admittedly, 2 was a more structurally correct mare, standing
straighter, especially when viewed from behind.”
“In moving to my next pair, I did place 2 over the bay tobiano mare as she did follow
most in type to the first place mare in having more refinement about her head, more
definition and bulge through her stifle when viewed from behind, and was v’ed up deeper
in her pectoral region when viewed from the front. In addition, 2 stood straighter all the
way around and traveled cleaner at both the walk and jog. I do realize that 1 was stronger
over her topline than was 2.”
“I moving to my bottom pair, I did place 1 over 4 as she displayed a more desirable slope
to her shoulder which extended further into her back contributing to a stronger topline. In
addition, she was a deeper barreled mare. Although 4 was a heavier muscled mare than
1, 4 was the smallest framed mare, and was the least feminine mare in the class having
the coarsest head, and she stood the most structurally incorrect being splayed footed
when viewed from the front and stood sickle-hocked when viewed from the side.
Therefore, I did leave her last in this class of aged Paint mares.”
“For these reasons I placed this class 3-2-1-4. Thank you.”